5 Feb 2010

Queenstown council chief executive leaves job

3:06 pm on 5 February 2010

The chief executive of the Queenstown Lakes District Council is leaving his position this week after more than 12 years in the job.

Duncan Field was not reappointed after his contract expired late last year.

The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce wanted Mr Field out, calling into question his business acumen and suggesting that he was dictatorial.

Hundreds of people gathered this week at an event to pay tribute to Mr Field, whom Mayor Clive Geddes described as the ultimate public serviceman.

Mr Field oversaw some of the biggest changes in Queenstown's history, including billions of dollars worth of development that made the district the fastest growing region in Australasia.

British-born Debra Lawson will take over as chief executive in March.